The race, sponsored by Mojo Sports of Presque Isle, was part of the Maine State Time Trial Series and about 25 racers from around Maine and Massachusetts had registered for the event.

Given the gentle terrain of the race course and LaVallee’s abilities, Stockwell said he would not be surprised if his friend was traveling between 27 and 30 mph at the time of impact.

LaVallee has a wife and two young children and works teaching underprivileged children in the Boston area, Stockwell said.

“The accident is still under investigation,” Washburn Patrolman Roy Guidry said late Monday afternoon. “We are interviewing a lot of witnesses and taking it one step at a time.”

Guidry said that according to witnesses interviewed on Sunday, LaVallee’s bike hit head on a pickup truck that was facing south in the northbound lane.

“He hit the grille right dead smack on. The damage to the truck is in the dead center of the grille right in the license plate and grille area. That is consistent with a narrow strike like the bike hitting the center of the pickup truck,” Guidry said Sunday. “A broadside would have been completely different.”

All of the bike damage was in the front of the bicycle, adding credence to the thought that the bike struck the pickup truck head on, Guidry said. He said he has yet to determine whether the pickup truck was parked or moving.

The driver of the pickup truck, Kenneth Ayotte, 53, of Presque Isle, told Guidry that he was stopped at the end of the driveway where the accident occurred.

“His teammates are here for him,” Stockwell said. “We are ready to help him any way we can.”

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has information about it is asked to call Guidry at 455-4043.

Nick Sambides Jr. contributed to this report. Reporter Julia Bayly was a participant in Sunday’s time trial race.